Fernlea flats next to be demolished

FLATS at Fernlea Crescent are set to be the next properties demolished as Wheatley Homes South press on with their Annan regeneration plans.

Nadine Paterson and Lynsey Fotheringham represented the social housing landlord at Annan Community Council’s meeting on Monday evening.

Giving an update on the current Annan regeneration plans, Ms Paterson said: “We have recently just had permission given for the flats (at Shawhill Road) and the four houses at Eden Place.

“We are still awaiting planning for the other three sites. We are engaging really closely with the planners. And we hope by the end of the summer that we will have planning permission for all five sites.

“I’m hoping we will be on site by Spring time 2026. In the meantime we are entirely responsible for the sites.”

She added: “The blocks at Fernlea, we are intending on demolishing them as soon as possible. It’s now fully vacant. We are just waiting on Scottish Water to do their part.

“Once we have done that it will be four to six weeks before the contractor can go on site.”

It was confirmed the path between Springbells Road and Fernlea will be maintained, only closing during demolition and construction work.

Meanwhile, it was announced that sandstone cottages at Springbells would not be getting pulled down. Instead, Wheatley are looking to sell off the properties at this location.

Lynsey added: “We set about looking at the properties and what would be required. The money against the benefit of that was not stacking up.

“What we are looking to do now is to dispose of them. We are engaging with the council and Scottish Government about that.” Nadine said: “We are looking to sell them at some point down the line. We own them at the moment, but it’s quite a complicated process.

“The intention was to always sell them. There had been a conversation about demolishing the buildings.”

One block of flats, at Eden Place, adjacent to Springbells Road, remains occupied. There are no plans to demolish the block before 2026.

Once planning is received for all new properties the contractors will attend a community council meeting, while also hosting a wider community engagement event.